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Soccer Queens 2018 Season

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The Waithaka Soccer Queens are a female Football Club in Nairobi, Kenya.

This is the story of how they are "PLAYING FOR THE FUTURE"



THE BACKSTORY:

Traditionally, women's soccer in Kenya had no place.  Girls were not given the chance to play and pursue their talents.

Started in 2010, the Queens have worked their way from barely able to complete a pass to scrimmaging in dirt fields to now playing in the top premier league. They've built the team on a foundation of women’s empowerment through sport, and standout because of their philosophy of placing girls into schools through scholarship.

Using Football as a vehicle for social change, the girls have had to overcome innumerable obstacles.  First, it was just about even getting the chance to play publicly, then it was going against the grain and expectation of their family, to then figuring out how to get equipment and a place to play, never mind uniforms.  For the last eight years, different groups of girls have pioneered this club so what we see today is a real life success story of how the sacrifices of those made before us can make for a better life for those after us.  These athletes have made so many strides but still need so much support.  From living costs for Camp to Travel cost, the struggle is real.

Helmed by Amos Kimani, founder and head coach of the soccer queens, the team is in good hands and is no stranger to the power of community.  Amos grew up as a street boy and was called "garbage eater" until an organization offered him a bed off the streets and gave him a new family.  Amos has not taken that lightly and founded the soccer queens with the hope to be able to find young girls and offer them a similar path using soccer as their road to housing, education, and empowerment. Please help fund their next string of games and season and keep this story of hope on the path to success.

THE FINANCIAL OBSTACLES:

Because many girls have to travel great distances, don't have support from their parents, or maybe don't even have parents to help them, setting up Camp and having all the girls live together in one place is a way to cut costs.  Their accommodations are modest, most of the time sleeping more than one to a bed, but it is still an added cost for the Queens.  They make any place their home and are grateful for the opportunity, but sleeping quarters are quite tight.  Below is a shot from March of this year of their bedroom.


The financial breakdown for a month of Camp is $10,000 KSH ($100 USD) for rent, $30,000 KSH ($300 USD) for food, and $10,000 KSH ($100 USD) for emergency medication and upkeep.  So for only $500 the girls can fund one month of camp to get them ready for their season.  This is the bare minimum cost.

The total budget for the 2017 season of twenty players and five officials  is $1,440,000KSH ($14,400 USD).  This breaks down to be $285,000 KSH ($2,850 USD) for eleven matches in the Nairobi area, $78,000 KSH ($780 USD) for two matches in Thika/Naivasha, and $1,077,000 ($10,770 USD) for eight matches on the Coast/Western/Kisumu areas.  This covers travel to the towns, from towns to match, food and refreshments, as well as a game allowance. 

On top of that, there is a $40,000 KSH ($400 USD) registration fee and extra $50,000 KSH ($500 USD) for emergencies and unplanned costs. 

For the Queens, the goal of $5,000 USD is not an excessive amount of money.  It's a modest ask for an impressive journey that these girls have embarked on.  They are exemplars of how the actions we take and sacrifices we make effect those who come after us.  In this case, these pioneers of women football in Kenya have created a story of hope, where social change and women's empowerment are at the front of the cause.

Fundraising team: Soccer Queens 2018 (2)

Myles David Jewell
Organizer
Amos Kimani
Team member

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